EVIDENCE AT DUNTROON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 17

EVIDENCE AT DUNTROON.

OAMARU, April 1

On Friday afternoon the commission left Tokarahi for Duntroon, passing through some of the finest agricultural land in the colony. The stacks of bags threshed from wheat and oats afforded a gratifying sight, some of the piles of bags being almost as large as the stacks of straw irom which they were threshed. The grass was remarkably good for this time of the year, and tho stock in prime condition. Taking it all in ail the- Crown tenants here have little or nothing to complain about.

A fitting was liskl in the drillshed at 7 o'clock.

Andrew Bell, dairy farmer. Maerewhenua Settlement, said ha was satisfied with his holding and his lease in perpetuity, and only wished he could get more land. He preferred leasehold to freehold. He would like to see the State acquire all the land for cutting up under leaso in perpetuity. Otekaike. if out up, would make a good settlement. It was a mistake to think that Otekaike was only good for pastoral land ; there was good cropping groifnd. Six or eight thotisand acres of the mountain country would yield a man a living if worked in conjunction with the low country. The Government should acquire the freehold winter country from Duntroon to use with the other low land. The low country was of very fair quality. The Government would have no difficulty in getting rid of any of the runs, even the highest. Coi-rie-dale would make a, very successful settleiront. but not as good, perhaps, as Otekaike. There were many young men. in the district who wanted land, but could not get it. though it was there. The settlement of the district had undoubtedly made Oamaru prosperous. He thought the freehold would not be in the interests of the people. Tho cry for the freehold emanated from outside the district. He had heard rumours, of revaluation, but nothing more. The constitution of the Land Boards was satisfactory, but they ought to have a freer hand and more power. After a leasehold tenant had improved his section substantially he should have a free hand in regard to cultivation and cropping. "William Sutherland, sheep farmer, said that he would like to see Otekaike cut up, for there was a great land "thirst" in the district. Otekfike was. well adapted for cutting up. There would be no trouble about the hill country. He had not been very successful in surface sowing. He had no weeds, but plenty of rabbits."

Thomas Reid, farmer, Maerewhenua Settlement, said his experience of 10 years on the holding was quite satisfactory. If he had tho money for it ho would like to possess the freehold. He obtained plenty o? water by sinking wells. His relations wiih the Land Board had been satisfactory, and he approvad of the cropping regulations. If he had sufficient money to reduce the capital value and his lent he thought the Government should allow him to do it. — (Applause, which was repressed by the chairman.) His neighbours with the. freehold did better than witness could with tho leasehold.

Alexander Wilson, fai-mer. Maerewhcnua. said he wa< fairly satisfied with his holding and tenure. He would like to make the land freehold. He thought the valuation on his improvements was too high. There was not the inducement under 'the lease-in-peipetuity t-enura to ptit improvements on the land. He would like to buy the freehold at the original capital value. Henry A. Dovcy, farmer, Muerewhenua,

f said he wa-s fully satisfied with his farm an6s tenure. It should be optional for a lease-in-perpetuity tenant to gradually pay off the capital value or purchase right out. LancE Boards should have more discretionary power. He did not think there should bo a fre=h ballot if the conditions of the leaso were altered to give the option of the freehold. He did not think the roads were wisely made on the estate. They were not; properly formed, and coet twice as much as they should have done. None of the roading work was offered to Ihe settlers on the> estate. After a settler had proved a good tenant for. say, seven or ten years, he should be given the option to acquire the freehold. His land carried 400 sheep and 100 to 120 acres of mixed crop. He had eradicated the Californian thistle with fialt laid on 6in thick. James Stevenson, farmer, holding 600 acres of private leasehold on Otekaike Run for over 10 years, said he favoured the leasehold tenure, with the option of the freehold, because it put a lot of men on the land who otherwise would not get there. Otekaike was suitable for cutting up, and very desirable. Michael Gilligan =aid he farmed 140 acres, Maerewhenua Settlement, at 8s 3d an acre. He bought two parties out, s\nd was verypleased with the farm and tenure. He paid " a good bit " for the goodwill, and was doing very well after paying it. There was always a premium when sections changed h^nds. The land should belong to the State, and no more Crown lands should be sold. ,It would not be safe to do away with the cropping regulations. Cornelius Mannix, Maerewhenua. was perfectly satisfied with the leasehold tenure, and did not want the freehold. Robert M'Nair deposed that he farmed 94 acres at Otekaike, freehold, purchased from Campbell and Co. A freeholder could not compete against, a leaseholder who gofc compensation in rebate of rent 'for hailstorms. The State was the best landlord. All the low-lying land of Otekaike would be suitable for close settlement. George E. Wiso. farming 800 acres, Maerewhenua, said he was quite satisfied with his holding and tenure. He had not the slightest de«ire for the freehold. James E. Tallantire said he was quite* satisfied, but would iike the Land Board to have more discretionary powers in regard to cropping. When a settler had proved he was a bona fide settler he should be allowed to crop as he liked. The sittings closed at 9 o'clock. This morning the commission came on t« Oamaru by train.